Ginetta Puts Stars In Reasonably Priced Race Cars

21-3-2012

March 5th saw a bevvy of household names descend on the Silverstone paddock as each petrol head tried to prove they were the fastest star in a reasonably priced race car.

The annual Media Day hosted by Yorkshire Car Manufacturer Ginetta aims to celebrate the official launch of their championship season, and this year included a "Star in a reasonably priced race car" challenge, where celebrities tested their skills and their courage against company chairman and 2006 Le Mans GT2 winner Lawrence Tomlinson.

With competition in the air and the added pressure of Nigel Mansell watching their laps from the pit lane, the celebrities took to the track in Ginetta G40's. Following two practise laps and coaching from the instructors bravely strapped in beside them, the stars had just one lap to set their fastest time.

With spins a plenty and some even managing to get lost on their laps, all drivers returned in one piece eagerly waiting to see just where they would be placed on the leader board. The wait for the times to be revealed was agonising for the celebrities and cruelly delayed by Lawrence Tomlinson being out on track testing Ginetta's new GT3 car.

Lap times ranged from a respectable 1:17.60 through to a Sunday driver 1:58. Chris Bisson was revealed as the firm anchor at the bottom of the leader board, whilst Nick Knowles proudly achieved the fastest lap.... That was until Lawrence's was revealed slashing Nicks time by seven seconds.

Nigel Mansell was on hand to award Nick Knowles with the Trophy for fastest lap, Nick Pickard the trophy for most entertaining lap (due to his penchant for spinning) and Brendan Cole for the most enthusiastic lap.

Lawrence Tomlinson Chairman of Ginetta commented; "Today has been a lot of fun and certainly revealed everyone's competitive streak, it was great for these guys to experience first-hand driving a race car, and something the Ginetta juniors at 14years old make look so easy. I have a feeling this event will run again as I believe there are some scores to be settled!"